Photo sales reps allowed on maternity wards

The Daily Telegraph has accessed records which show that a number of mothers have made complaints about Bounty sales representatives.

The firm tries to get new mothers to purchase prints of photographs the reps have taken of their babies.

They also hand out "goodie bags" and ask women for their contact information so the details can be sold on to other firms.

The sales people are allowed onto the wards by trusts - a move which has drawn criticism from parenting experts and campaign organisations.

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust, said: "It is absolutely appalling. When you go into a maternity ward to have your baby, you shouldn't be subjected to commercial pressures."

"But the hospitals turn a blind eye to Bounty because otherwise they will have to ask their trusts for more money."

Trusts in England have a deal with the company where they are paid around £1 for a "goodie bag" given to new mothers.

Data from 93 trusts revealed they made £547,280 from Bounty in 2008/09, an increase from £460,284 in 2007/08.

12 trusts said that mothers had complained about the Bounty representatives. The NCT said it heard on a regular basis from mothers who were "upset" by the pressure of the sales representatives.